About Swedish

The anti-inflammatory diet and multiple sclerosis

We have all seen inflammation on the surface of our bodies. Redness, heat, swelling or pain after a cut or sprain are examples of this process at work. In these cases, inflammation benefits the body by bringing more nutrients and immune activity to the injured or infected area, helping it to heal.

When inflammation occurs without purpose or is persistent, it can cause damage and illness. This type of abnormal inflammation is the root of many chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS).

Many factors contribute to chronic inflammation including stress, exposure to toxins such as cigarette smoke and dietary choices. We have control over some of the causes of inflammation. Learning what foods have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body may be beneficial in reducing long-term disease risk.

The anti-inflammatory diet is a balanced, sensible way of eating. It not only influences inflammation but also provides your body with adequate energy, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and fiber. Here are a few recommendations for eating to reduce and prevent inflammation.

Make sure your diet contains plenty of fruits and vegetables

Why? Rich in flavonoids and carotenoids with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity.

What? Choose a wide variety of colors. Choose things that are fresh in season or frozen. Eat them both raw and cooked.

Immediately after diagnosis one should begin thinking about which MS disease modifying therapy (DMT) to start. Earlier DMT initiation results in better long term MS outcomes versus delaying treatment. There are now 10 FDA approved MS DMT drugs on the market. Most medications have side effects. Often these may seem scarier on paper than when you sit down and talk with your health care provider about them. It most helpful to first discuss the DMT drugs with your health care provider, be given a list of credible DMT resources (for example, National MS Society, Swedish MS Center website), read about the various treatments, write down your questions, and then return in a few weeks for further discussion with your MS health care provider. The pros and cons of each drug should be reviewed before making a treatment decision. Although side effects exist, for each drug, they are often manageable with the guidance of your health care team. It is beneficial to bring someone with you, for this conversation, since two sets of ears are better than one. Also, anxiety or concerns about MS may limit you from hearing all the information your MS provider shares. Lifestyle is important when dealing with both your MS health and general health. You can start an MS disease modifying drug and also work on modifying your lifestyle at the same time. A discussion about the purpose and need for anti-inflammatory creams can be done during one of your regular clinic visits. The newly diagnosed person, with MS, can have more frequent clinic visits as you and your MS team work together in optimizing your overall state of health and fitness.

Nutrition is obviously important, but how do you feel about other anti-inflammatory agents, such as creams?

I wonder what is the best approach with MS - is it drugs and diet immediately after diagnosis or do you start with a change in lifestyle? I only ask because of the side-effects of the major MS-directed drugs.